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The National Cancer Institute defines malignant mesothelioma as "as a rare form of cancer in which cancer cells are found in the sac lining the chest, the lining of the abdominal cavity or the lining around the heart."
According to the National Cancer Institute, "most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles." Mesothelioma Asbestos.
The risk of malignant mesothelioma increases with age and mesothelioma is found more often in men than women. Still, this cancer has been found in women and is by no means exclusive. Mesothelioma has been found in individuals that were exposed to asbestos in other settings, such as the home. This may be due in part to the widespread use of asbestos in the past. Asbestos refers to a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos fibers, including Chrysotile asbestos, are not affected by heat or chemicals, do not conduct electricity, and therefore has been widely used in many industries. However, asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and exposure to asbestos has been shown to cause serious health problems including pleural mesothelioma.
Products containing Asbestos:
- cement sheet and pipe products used for water supply and sewage piping
- roofing and siding
- casings for electrical wires
- fire protection material
- electrical switchboards and components
- clutch facings
- brake linings for automobiles
- gaskets
- heat-protective mats
- heat and electrical wire insulation
- industrial filters for beverages
- material for sheet flooring;
- roofing materials
- heat- and fire-resistant fabrics (including blankets and curtains)
- ceiling and floor tile
In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because these products released excessive amounts of asbestos fibers into the environment. Additionally, asbestos was voluntarily withdrawn by manufacturers of electric hair dryers. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; uses established prior to 1989 are still allowed. The EPA has established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure by removing the asbestos or by covering it up.
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